For countries that are not signatories to the Apostille Convention, South African documents require authentication via established channels. It’s crucial to ensure that documents are properly prepared, as foreign diplomatic missions (embassies) may reject improperly formatted submissions. For detailed requirements, you may contact [email protected].

Our fast authentication service typically takes 3 to 5 business days to complete, depending on the type of documents you submit. If you’re not sure how to start the authentication process, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] with your questions.

Eligible Documents for Authentication:

The following original official documents, signed and stamped by the respective issuing authority, can be submitted for authentication:

• Original unabridged or full birth, marriage, and/or death certificates.
• Valid letters of no impediment (marital status).
• Citizenship confirmation letters, including naturalisation and renunciation letters issued by an authorized Home Affairs official.
• Valid Police Clearance Certificates signed and stamped by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
• Adoption papers, appropriately signed and stamped by the relevant Presiding Officer or Commissioner of Child Welfare from the Children’s Court or the Registrar of Adoptions at the Department of Social Development.
• Confirmation letters issued (with stamp and signature) by the Department of Transport – Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) affirming the validity of the applicant’s driver’s licence (Note: Actual driver’s licences cannot be legalised).

Exclusions from Legalisation:

The DIRCO Legalisation Section does not accept the following documents:

• Abridged certificates or computer printouts, which lack the requisite signatures and stamps of the issuing authority.
• Marriage certificates issued by marriage officers; only original unabridged marriage certificates from the Department of Home Affairs are acceptable for legalisation.
• Certified copies of any documents, including birth, marriage, death certificates; Police Clearance Certificates; Letters of No Impediment; proof of citizenship; travel documents; or identity documents.
• Documents certified as true copies by a Commissioner of Oaths.
• Regarding “Old” Documentation: Documents deemed “old” may not be eligible for legalisation, especially if the original issuer is no longer in the official database or has left the department. It is advisable to present documents no older than one year.
• A Letter of No Impediment: may be legalised if it is an original document on official Home Affairs letterhead, signed and stamped by the authorized official (Head Office only). These letters remain valid for a period of six months from the date of issue. Important: Only letters issued by the Home Affairs Head Office will be accepted for legalisation; those from Regional offices lack proper authorisation.

To authenticate documents through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the following items must be submitted:

1. Verification letters from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for:

   – Degrees

   – Diplomas

   [Click here to initiate your verification request.]

2. Verification letters from both the Provincial Department of Education and the National Department of Education for learners from Grades R to 12

   [Click here to submit a verification request for transfer cards.]

3. A verification letter issued by Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, for Matric certificates.

[Click here to initiate your verification request.]

Legalization of Sworn Translations

The process of legalizing sworn translations in South Africa is a vital mechanism for facilitating the acceptance of public documents in foreign jurisdictions where English is not the primary language, particularly in countries that are not signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention. This process involves a series of procedural steps to ensure that documents such as educational certificates, marriage certificates, and commercial papers are accurately verified for international use.

Option 1: Notary and Sworn Translator

1. Notarization: Begin by obtaining notarization from a licensed notary public to authenticate the document’s origin and the signer’s identity.
2. Sworn Translation: The notarized document must then be translated by a sworn translator, who is accredited by the South African High Court. This translation is subsequently authenticated by the Chief Registrar’s office to validate the translator’s credentials if they are registered in the relevant division of the High Court.
3. Authentication by DIRCO: The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) performs the critical task of authenticating the signature and seal of the Chief Registrar, thereby verifying that the notary’s registration is legitimate.
4. Embassy Attestation: Finally, the fully authenticated translation is presented to the embassy or consulate of the destination country for further legalization. The consular authorities will assess the document’s authenticity and apply their seal or stamp to finalize the attestation.

It is essential to confirm whether the destination country is a non-member of the apostille convention to follow the correct legalization procedures.

Option 2: Direct Translation by Sworn Translator

In accordance with Rule 59 of the South African Supreme Court, translations for jurisdictions lacking English as an official language such as Mozambique, Angola, and the United Arab Emirates must be carried out by sworn translators.

1. Translation: After the sworn translation is completed, the translated document should be authenticated by the Chief Registrar’s office to confirm the validity of the translator’s signature if they are registered.
2. DIRCO Authentication: DIRCO then authenticates the Chief Registrar’s signature, reaffirming the registration of the notary public and validating the seal.
3. Embassy Submission: The last step involves submitting the authenticated document to the respective embassy or consulate of the destination country. The embassy will verify the document’s authenticity and complete the process by affixing their official seal or stamp.

This procedural rigor is not merely administrative; it is essential for ensuring that documentation meets international standards for legal validity and recognition.